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The Pitchburgh Press Official Bulletin of the GREATER PITTSBURGH, PA. CHAPTER VOL.XXIV, NO. 5 September-October 2006 |
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The Pitchburgh Press Official Bulletin of the GREATER PITTSBURGH, PA. CHAPTER VOL.XXIV, NO. 5 September-October 2006 |
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| O | n September 10, 2006, John Hassett, a thirty year member of the Greater Pittsburgh chapter passed on to the Chorus Eternal. John |
| was in his 100th year of life, a milestone most of us will never achieve. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Anne, one brother and six sisters. The family he leaves behind includes two daughters, eight grandchildren and twenty-three great-grandchildren. | |
| In this issue | |
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| Farewell John Hassett | |
| Calendar, Org., Press Block, BD's & Anniv. | |
| Editor's page-bulletin archive status | |
| Thanks Fred & Pat Dean + Kitchen Band | |
| Indiana County Workshop + Annual Picnic | |
| Indiana County Workshop photo montage | |
| Annual Picnic photo montage | |
| Mihmbro contest | |
| Mihmbro (cont) + Board meeting highlights | |
| We Perform | |
| Songs We Sing + slate of officers + quiz + cipher | |
| Quiz & cipher answers | |
| Performances | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Event | Location | Time* | Uniform |
| Nov 11 Sat | American Legion (Vets Day) | Old Clairton Road | 4 pm | Red |
| Nov 13 Mon | Beatty Point Home | Monroevile | 11 pm | Red |
| Activities | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dec 8 '06 | Ladies Night | Churchill VCC |
| Apr 14 '07 | Annual Show | Soldiers & Sailors Hall |
2006 GREATER PITTSBURGH CHAPTER and Three River Chorus
Assistant Chorus Director: Lou Vlahos
President: Bob Cavanaugh
VP Program: Joe DeFilippo
VP Music & Perf: Skip Gillis
VP Marketing & Public Relations: Tom Koch
VP Chapter Dev 't & Membership: Fred Donofrio
Secretary: Gary Corpora
Treasurer: George Mayer
BOARD MEMBERS
Don Anderson
Vaughn Eggert
Ken Ernst
Bob Parker
John Kirwan
Jim McCarthy
John Powers
Don Redshaw
OTHER OFFICE
District Delegate: Joe Veltre
E-Mail Contact: Bob Parker (rparkerl73@aol.com)
Barberpole Cat Program: Joe DeFilippo
Show Chairman: (year 2007 TBD)
Show Tickets: John Kirwan
Webmaster: Bernie Sinwell
Chorus Manager: Jay Garber
Librarian: Don Redshaw
Sunshine: Ken Ernst
BIRTHDAYS:
Sept. - Gary Corpora, Fred Dean, Ken Moelk
Oct. - Bill Amos, John Kirwan, Bill Martin
Sept. - Bill & Sandy Amos, Bob & Roseann Cavanaugh, Fred & Charlene Donofrio, Rich & Carolyn Finch, George & Carol Mayer, John & Betzi Powers, Lou & Carol Sisk
Oct. - Gary & Louise Corpora, John & Brenda Eichmiller, Skip & Catherine Gillis, Jim & Lois McCarthy, Ken & Betsy Moelk, Mark & Lynn Pascarella, Frank & Joann Porco, Joe & Mary Ann Veltre
THE PITCHBURGH PRESS is a bi-monthly publication of the
Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society
In a past issue (I didn't bother looking it up), I explained that I was attempting to establish an archive file of back issues of our bulletin that could be passed on from editor to editor. I attempted to retrieve back issues from various sources. Here is an up to date status of my attempts.
It seems that many, old back issues have been lost forever. I have copies of Oct. 1962 and Nov. 1976. I found Feb., Mar./Apr., May, Jun./Jul., Oct. and Nov. of 1977... Jan./Feb., Mar/Apr., May, Jun., Jul./Aug. and Sep/Oct. of 1978... Jan., Feb. and Mar. of 1979.
My archive then jumps to Mar/Apr. 1982 and next to Nov. and Dec.1986. No copies from 1987. I found only Dec. of 1988. Then things get better. I have all of 1989 and 1990. For 1991,I located an issue designated as "Winter 1991," plus Mar/Apr., May and Jun.1991. I have complete years for 1992 and 1993... Jan. through JuI./Aug. 1994... Jan., Mar., Apr., May and Nov. of 1995.
All of 1996 is missing. For 1997 I located Feb. through Aug./Sep. I have Mar. through Dec. 1998. For 1999, I have Jan. through Apr., Jul. and Aug. Then Jan., Feb., Mar., May, Jun., Jul. and Aug. of 2000... Jan., Feb., Apr., May, Jul., Aug. and Nov. of 2001... Jan./Feb. through Sep./Oct. of 2002. The archive is complete for 2003 to present time.
There have been many editors over the years and I know that some of the gaps in the archive are due to no bulletin being published at times. If anybody can fill in some of the gaps, it would be greatly appreciated.
Doing this status review provided me with an interesting history of the Pitchburgh Press. Going back to that October 1962 edition, the bulletin was called the "Pitch-Burgher" and was a single sheet, type written edition by editor Lou Sisk. This was the Pittsburgh Chapter as Greater Pittsburgh was not yet in existence. The Oct.'62 issue was designated as Volume IX, #10, which would indicate that the bulletin started sometime back around 1953 (wish I had those old editions).
The bulletin was known as the Pitch-Burgher on all copies I found up through 1979. Lou Sisk was the editor all this time, in addition to being the chorus director. Until May of 1978, the chorus was known as "The Pittsburgh Good Tyme Music Co." (PGTMC).
You may recall that in February of 1978, the Pittsburgh Chapter and the East Suburban Chapter voted to merge and be known as the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter.
In the July/August 1978 bulletin, the chorus name was shown as the "Three Rivers Chorus" for the first time.
As indicated above, the archive file now jumps to the March/April 1982 edition. This issue was titled as the Pitch-Burgh Press, Volume 1, Issue 3. The editor was Ron Brooks. The designation as Volume 1 leads me to believe that the bulletin either remained as the Pitch-Burgher until that time, or wasn't published during the interim. Maybe someone out there can enlighten us.
After the archive file skip to November and December 1986, the bulletin was published as "The Pitchburgh Press" (hyphen gone). Tony Stefano was the editor.
In Dec 1988, Joe Knittel was the editor and the front page mast head featured the Pittsburgh skyline sketch designed by Tony Sangerinano. Joe remained the editor until 1991 when Jim Campbell took over for part of the year while Joe took a leave due to illness. Joe Knittel returned as editor in 1992 and remained as editor until he passed away on July 16, 1994. It must be noted here that during his time as editor, Joe Knittel was awarded JAD Bulletin Editor Of The Year four times. He set a standard that none of our other editors, including myself, have ever matched.
Following Joe's passing, Tony Stefano returned as editor up until March of 1998 when Jim McCarthy took over. Jim was editor for five years until March of 2003 when he passed the job to yours truly (Tom Koch).
To summarize, we have had seven editors from 1962 until present time. I for one can tell you it can be a very time consuming job. I think Jim McCarthy will back me up on that point.
If anyone can fill me in on the time period of 1953 to 1962, that would be great. Also, any of the other gaps in dates I have shown at the beginning of this article. I have to believe that old copies still exist.
This photo was taken by Jim McCarthy at Canterbury Place on February 25, 2004 and shows some Three Rivers Chorus members singing with John Hassett to help celebrate his 97th birthday.
From left to right: Jay Garber, Bill Mcveagh (I think), John Hassett, Bob Parker (hidden), Ken Ernst and Bob Cavanaugh.
Back on August 29, 2006, it looked like we were going to have to cancel our weekly meeting because of an open house at the school where we meet. For the second time, Fred arid Pat Dean invited the entire chapter to come to their house rather than cancel the meeting. I say second time because one year ago on August 30, 2005, they did the same.
Not only did Fred and Pat host the meeting but they graciously provided food and refreshment for all.
In the following photos are Fred and Pat Dean and a meeting being held on the Dean back yard patio. Needless to say, there was much singing, in addition to eating, at this informal meeting. |
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Talk about a chapter meeting with a different twist... back on August 14, 2006, chapter tenor, Tony Sangermano, brought the "Kitchen Band" to our meeting. The kitchen Band is a group of residents from the Clover Hills Village where Tony lives. The band members have made a variety of home made instruments. Their performances include quite a bit of singing along with their playing.
Tony acts as the director of the group and, in addition, plays his wash tub bass fiddle which he used at our show back in April.
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Here we see Tony playing his wash tub, plus the piano player of the band.
In the next photo, we see the rest of the band with their instruments. Some of these instruments use kazoos inserted into various plumbing fittings.
Indiana County Workshop picnic - 2006
On September 1, 2006, 16 barbershoppers from the Greater Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh North Hills Chapters, attended the 14th annual picnic of the "lndiana County Workshop." To learn more about the background of this event, please refer back to the July - August 2005 edition of this bulletin (you did save it didn't you).
Just to refresh your memory, if you can't find your past bulletins, this picnic for handicapped persons was started back in 1992 by one Dave Detweiler who had worked with the severely handicapped for over 20 years.
As an old time acquaintance of Bill Amos, Dave got Bill involved and Bill, in turn, decided to get some barbershoppers involved. For over 10 years now, barbershoppers have been attending the picnic to pass among the crowd passing out various small token gifts and then singing to the assembled crowd. The picnic goers always look forward to the annual visit by the barbershoppers.
This year's picnic was held in the newly rebuilt clubhouse of the Heilwood Sportsmen's Club. You may recall that in year 2005, the picnic had to be moved at the last moment because a "firebug" had torched the club and burned it to the ground. They were fortunate to have this large, new, indoor facility as the day turned out to be very cold, and a bit wet.
The barbershop group this year included, from Greater Pittsburgh: Bill Amos, Fred Dean, Fred Donofrio, Ken Ernst, Jim Hughes, Tom Koch, Bill Martin, Jim McCarthy, Mark Pascarella and Rich Stevens; and from Pittsburgh North Hills: Matt Coppola, Jack Cox, Ed Dietz, Glenn Schilberg, Bob Steinmetz and BillStringert.
As usual, following their performance at the picnic, the barbershoppers retreated to Bill Amos' camp, near Yellow Creek, and spent the balance of the afternoon singing, eating and just having a good time.
The food buffet which Bill Amos had arranged was outstanding. Being as cold as it was, it seems that the group consumed more hot coffee that cold refreshment. Now what is Bill going to do with all that left over beer?
Our resident Boy Scout, Mark Pascarella, constructed one of his large, carefully engineered fires which helped keep the assembly warm.
Please turn to the Fred Donofrio photo montage on page 6. At the top of the page are some of the barbershop performers. On the bottom half of the page is a general view of the picnic goers. Also in the montage are Bill Amos (lower left), Fred Dean (left center, along with "Bob" who usually sings along with us), and Lei Man Tom Koch (right center).
We could use more participants. Why not join us next year. You'll be assisting a good cause and you'll have a great time and come away feeling good.
Chapter Annual Picnic
Scores Another Big Hit
By Jim McCarthy
On August 19, 2006, a total of 58 people attended Greater Pittsburgh Chapter's Annual Picnic in Penn Hills. The members and family included nine children and forty-nine adults joining in the festivities.
Please refer to the Fred Donofrio photo montage on page 7.
The picnic activities began at 1:00 PM with the ever-popular Bingo. Throughout the afternoon, 16 winners walked off with prizes.
Once again, Fred Donofrio organized and officiated the Bocci Tournament. Seven teams, of two each, competed in the hotly contested contest. When the dust all settled, Bernie Sinwell and his son-in-law, Sam Durka, come out on top. They can be seen in the right-center of the page 7 montage.
Unfortunately, the Horseshoe Tournament had to be cancelled due to new park rules.
The highlight of the afternoon was the kids races and games which took place between 3 and 5 PM. The races included a 50-yard dash, a wheel barrow race and a one-leg hop. All competition winners got to choose from a variety of kids toys and prizes. There were no losers in these competitions. Every competitor got candy at the end of each race. Bob Parker's grandson won all the prizes in the junior (4-6 year old) competition.
Late in the afternoon, the weather deteriorated a bit and the traditional couples Egg-Toss competition was rained out. [The rain would have washed off the egg spatter.]
Food service started at 4:30 PM and featured barbeque sandwiches and chicken along with miscellaneous other goodies. Drinks included beer and pop.
Of course the afternoon did not pass without some barbershop singing. We had the usual impromptu pick-up quartets (note Tom, Joe, Bill and Skip at left-center on page 7). Then the chorus members present did a brief performance, being directed by Joe DeFilippo (see top of page 7).
Jim McCarthy headed up the picnic committee which included Fred Donofrio, Ange Glorioso, Rich Finch, Jim Hughes, Ken Moelk and Ralph Ostlund. Jim extends his thanks to the committee and everyone else who pitched in to help at the picnic site.
Well, once again we have held one of our ultra serious, outstanding "Mihmbro" pickup quartet contests. Five quartets ventured forth into the spotlight to vie for the coveted Mihmbro trophies.
First to take the floor were the defending champions, 'The Winers" (not wieners, Joe D) (bottom left) who took the trophies at the last contest held back on May 23, 2006. Shown below, complete with their Disney Mickey Mouse ears, are Gary Corpora, tenor - Gordon Knapp, lead - Jay Garber, bass and Tom Koch, bari. Sticking with their Disney theme, they sang Zip-a-dee-do-dah, which is of course from Disney's Song Of The South. During their performance, Tom Koch somehow managed to hand clap Mr. Blue Bird appearing on Jay Garber's shoulder. The quartet had to shorten the tag in order to administer CPR to the ailing blue bird.
 
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Appearing third in the spotlight were the "Middle Toners" (above left) with Tony Sangermano, tenor - Joe DeFilippo, tead - Rich Weiss, bass and Bob Cavanaugh, bari. The quartet sang our favorite polecat, Wild Irish Rose. It should be noted that Rich Weiss is brand new to barbershopping and is just in the process of submitting his membership application. Way to go Rich!
Singing fourth were the "Heart Throbs" (above right) with Bob Parker, bari - Dick Hammer, bass - Ralph Ostlund, lead and Jim Shields, tenor. The four sang Let Me Call You Sweetheart which was directed at baritone, Bob Parker. Questions: Why didn't Bob get a wig? Are these guys OK?Finally, in fifth position, were "The Firehouse 5 Plus Three" which featured Bob Parker, bari - Bill McVeagh, bass - Walt Thomas, lead and Bill Amos, humble tenor. No one could figure the mathematics of their name (and neither could they). They thrilled the audience with a heart rending rendition of Heart Of My Heart. Was there a dry eye in the house? Worthy of note, Walt Thomas is relatively new to barbershop and this was his first quartet contest. To see their photo, go to the top of the column on the next page (page 9).
Continued on page 9 
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Following a very close vote (with no hanging chads) the winners were... drum roll...
The Firehouse 5 PIus Three!!
Here they are holding their trophies. Said tenor Bill Amos, in their acceptance speech, "You just gotta be humble." Again, notice the very small baritone trophy being held out by Bob Parker. We have just never located the original baritone trophy. Somebody out there must have it.
Rounding out the contest scoring, second place went to the Heart Throbs and third place went to Side By Side By Side. Give them all a hand.
If you didn't participate in this contest, ask yourself, "why not?" Then resolve to be in the next contest... OK?
Possible songs for the next contest:
Don't' go through the screen door mother, you'll strain yourself... or She was only a gin maker's daughter, but I loved her still... hmmmm?
Board Meeting - August 16, 2006:
Attendees: Gary Corpora, Joe DeFilippo, John Kirwin, Tom Koch, Bob Cavanaugh, Skip Gillis, John Powers, Don Redshaw, George Mayer, Don Anderson.
Vice President Reports:
Marketing & PR - Tom Koch reported that Cider Press Editor, Jeff Ulrich, agreed to publish an article on the Kennywood performance in July. [Tom submitted one, it was published and Tom plans to submit another article for the next issue.]
Chapter Development - Bob Cavanaugh reported that three recent guests expressed interest in joining the chapter. (The guests are George Barbour, Bob Faglioni and Rich Weiss. To date, Bob has joined, Rich is in the process of joining and George has drifted away. Two out of three isn't a bad average.]
Music & Performance - Efforts continue to find a new permanent director.
Program - Gary Corpora suggested that we have sectional rehearsals when Guy Russo is not in, followed by chorus practice on the two songs covered at sectional. The Mihmbro program will be continued. Gary further suggested that perhaps we could use some of Guy's time to coach quartets.
Show Committee:
Bob Parker reported that expenses at Soldiers & Sailors Hall have increased significantly and we will no longer be allowed to get our own caterer or bring in food and drinks. It appears that the extra costs will preclude having the afterglow there. A smaller "cast party" is being considered at a different location. Tentative show plans include having the Alliance Chorus from Ohio and a Sweet Adeline quartet
Nominations:
George Mayer is working on the slate of officers for 2007.
New Business:
It was suggested to Guy Russo that we do a YMIH-type concert at Sewickley Academy where Guy teaches.
It was decided to send Mayor O'Conner, a barbershop fan, a get well card. [He passed away before this could be done, so the board approved a $100 donation to cancer research in his memory]
I just finished reading an article from the Ogden, Utah chapter bulletin by Jay Giallombardo titled, "Learning A Song." It is a rather lengthy article and I don't plan on repeating it here. However, it is worth taking your time to read. You can find it on-line at http://www.shrineofdemocracychorus.org/news/april-06.pdf
Many articles have been published on this same topic, but Giallombardo has some interesting thoughts on the subject.
In his article , he discusses the human brain and how the subconscious works, and the muscle-memory aspects of the human mind. Some very interesting thoughts are postulated.
His proposed song learning method is divided into three steps: 1) Pitches, 2) Word-Sounds, 3) Integration.
In step one he recommends learning the pitches of a song by learning your part singing "Loo" or "Doo" instead of the actual words. In this manner, the brain can focus on the pitches and not be distracted by learning words or vowels.
In step two, he discusses learning the flow of word-sounds using a method called "silent audiation." This is essentially speaking-singing silently in your mind without making a sound.
Step three is integration, which is essentially putting steps one and two together. He gives an interesting example of an Olympic Sharpshooter who was the first to ever score a perfect 490 (all bull's-eyes) score without actually firing a shot in his last six weeks of practice, but instead practiced "silently" in his mind.
At the end of his article, he changes the topic a bit with a special tip for harmony singers [tenor, bari., bass]. This part I will repeat verbatim:
"Spend as much time at first listening to the lead part as well as your own. Ultimately, your harmony part is tuned to the "anticipated" melody line. So, you need to know where the lead is going. (Of course, it helps if the lead actually "gets there".)
Don't learn your part as melody from note to note. A harmony part sung "independently" from the melody will tend to sound out of tune. "Doo" the pitches so that you learn the note patterns. And practice "silent audiation" to get the muscle-memory activated... the integration process for you is one of listening to the melody as you sing your harmony part and allow your ear to make fine-tuning adjustments."
Getting on to our performances, our Three Rivers Chorus got a rest over the past few months. After that big day in Kennywood Park back on July 1, we had no more scheduled performances for the balance of July or August. On September 13, we got out and performed for a very appreciative audience of residents at the Forward/Shady apartments in Squirrel Hill.
Chorus manager Jay Garber is busy working to line up more outings for us, so stay alert for announces via e-mail and the web site calendar.
Turning to quartet activity, Random Choice did three performances during the month of September. On Sept.16, "RC" did a surprise performance for Willard & Rita Spalding who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary at the Churchill Valley Country Club The quartet on that evening consisted of; Bill Amos, Jay Garber, Tom Koch and Lou Vlahos.
The next day, Sept 17, RC sang at an open house at Canterbury Place. This job started with the quartet singing the National Anthem at a ribbon cutting ceremony in the Solarium. With permission of the Canterbury personnel, we added to the ceremony by dedicating a song, "From The First Hello, To The Last Goodbye," to the memory of John Hassett. Then RC wandered throughout the facility for the next two hours singing to whoever we could find. We met John Hassett's two daughters, Janet Schumacher and Nancy Encarnacion, and son-in-law Joe Schumacher. On this day the quartet consisted of Bill Amos, Jay Garber, Tom Koch and Mark Pascarella.
Sept.27, RC sang at a luncheon of the "Prime Timers" club at the Monroeville Senior Center. Keeping with our "random" manner, on this day the quartet was made up of Bill Amos, Bill Hamilton, Gordon Knapp and Tom Koch.
On Saturday, October 7, 2006, the Melodaires Quartet made up of Frank Pagliarulo (lead), Ralph Rock (bass). Gary Corpora (tenor) and Bob Parker (baritone), performed at the Allegheny Foothills Historical Society's Harvest Festival. The perforrnance took place at the Carpenter Log House (one of the first homes in Plum Borough) in Boyce Park from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. The quartet sang from the front porch of the house in front of an enthusiastic audience. At the festival, there were French and Indian War re-enactors in full costume, a log house, and several people to teach the skills of corn grinding, hunting and fishing techniques, and more about Eastern Woodland American Indian Culture. We aren't sure how barbershop singing fits into the French and Indian War period, but it was great fun.
This song, which we are still working on, has been a very popular song in the past, and of course, "the past" is where most barbershop music has it's roots.
"It Had To Be You" was published in 1924. The music was written by Isham Jones and the lyrics were by Gus Kahn. The song was performed by Priscilla Lane in the 1939 film The Roaring Twenhes and by Danny Thomas in the 1951 film I'll See You In My Dreams. The latter film was based loosely upon the lives of Gus Kahn and his wife, Grace LeBoy Kahn.
I said the song was very popular. Getting back to 1924, in that year the following groups made recordings of the song:
· Sam Lanin & his Orchestra - March 20,1924
· Marion Harriss - March 28,1924
· Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra - April 8, 1924
· Cliff Edwards- April 15,1924
· The California Ramblers - April 18, 1924
· Isham Jones & his Ochrestra - April 24, 1924
· Aileen Stanley & Billy Murray with Prince's Orchestra - June 5,1924
· Chappie d'Amato with Jack Hylton & his Orchestra - August 19, 1924
After that splurge in 1924, recordings of the song next jumped to the 1940's:
· Dorothy Lamour with orchestra conducted by Lou Bring - January 19,1940Visit us on the WEB at: http://www.harmonize.com/Greaterpittsburgh
If you love to sing, try
BARBERSHOP SINGING
We meet every Tuesday
7:30 pm
at Trinity Christian School
299 Ridge Ave
Pittsburgh, PA (Forest Hills)
Please come visit us
Guests are always welcome
This publication is distributed to chapter members, selected bulletin editors, Johnny Appleseed District and Society representatives, and others upon specific request to the editor. Views expressed in this bulletin are not necessarily those of BHS or the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter.
Tom Koch, Bulletin Editor
334 Coleman Drive
Monroeville, PA 15145-4828
(412)373-3025
E-Mail: poppopduck@aol.com
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